Summary

  • Stuart Pearce leaves Nottingham Forest

  • Pearce offered another role at the club

  • FT: Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa

  • Giroud, Ozil, Walcott, Cazorla and Bellerin

  1. League One updatepublished at 15:54 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    One week on from taking West Ham close in the FA Cup, Bristol City's focus is back on the League One title race. Kieran Agard had an effort tipped onto the crossbar early on for the home side but it's goalless at half-time.

    A win will take Steve Cotterill's side back to the top of the table after MK Dons overtook them with an emphatic 5-0 win at Crewe on Saturday.

  2. Postpublished at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    There can't be many Swansea fans still around who can remember their team winning at Southampton. The Welsh side are winless in their last 10 visits to Southampton since a 4-1 win 62 years ago in the old Second Division (D2, L8).

  3. Postpublished at 15:47 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Former England manager Graham Taylor
    BBC Radio 5 live at St Mary's Stadium

    "Southampton really are very good to watch and all credit should be given to the manager for that. Whether you are a new manager or not you have a responsibility for how the team is going to play and Ronald Koeman and Southampton have done incredibly well. They have only conceded 16 goals all season, and that is absolutely first class."

  4. Postpublished at 15:45 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Of course, there is no Wilfried Bony for Swansea anymore. He's due to link up with Manchester City on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, and his replacement Bafetimbi Gomis has work to do to step into the Ivorian's shoes.

    "Gomis seems to be doing a lot of talking off the pitch, but certainly now he needs to start doing his talking on it," says former Wales striker John Hartson.

    "He has an opportunity now to show the fans. He gets the shirt, he'll play every week, no more Bony, and he's got a chance now. He's on big wages... he came from Lyon with a big reputation."

  5. Postpublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Ronald KoemanImage source, PA

    Ronald Koeman continues to tinker with his impressive squad, having sold Steven Finn lookalike Jack Cork to Swansea. That deal wasn't done in time for the midfielder to start today, but it has given the manager funds to pursue Feyenoord defensive midfielder Tonny Vilhena, 20, and Benfica's attacking midfielder Filip Djuricic, 23, who is currently on loan with Mainz.

  6. Text us on 81111published at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Chris, Cambridge: Second league match in a row Arsenal have had less possession but looked comfortable. A heartening change of style from Arsene Wenger?

    Dane Vallejo: With no Alexis Sanchez today, does that mean Arsenal just won 5-0 with no players?

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  7. Postpublished at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    So, Southampton need three points today to reclaim third place from Manchester United. Is today the day their bubble pops? Or are they in for the long haul?

  8. Text us on 81111published at 15:35 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Arsenal players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Matt, London: I am often very quick to detract from Arsenal when they aren't playing well. It's only fair that I praise them when they are. They have been an absolute joy this afternoon. Ruthless counter attack, and the players that should still be recovering from injuries are on fine form. Well done.

    Bob: Manchester United, Southampton, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool separated by just five points and all hitting form at the rite time. The battle for top four is looking like its going to be epic!

    Julian, Surrey: For us Villa fans who also like cricket and tennis it's basically been non-stop pain for exactly 12 hours.

  9. Player reactionpublished at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    More from Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, speaking to Sky Sports: "Mesut [Ozil] has worked tremendously hard to recover from injury, like myself. They always say it's not going to happen overnight but it has for him - two goals in two games. I haven't played that much with him since he joined the club, his touch, and his general play is fantastic. I'm very grateful to be able to play with him and hopefully we can both stay fit now and charge on from here. It is always nice to get goals, especially at the Emirates. My little boy was here today too. The finish was great and it's such a relief to get that goal out of the way but it is all about the three points."

  10. Player reactionpublished at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, speaking to Sky Sports: "The first half was cautious. Aston Villa came at us with a game plan and pressured us, so at the break 1-0 was just deserved. But in the second half, I can't think of a more one-sided game. At the end Ashley Westwood had a shot and I think all the Villa fans were cheering. It's a great victory. The crowd here is buzzing. When a team is at the top of their game then everything happens for them."

  11. FULL-TIMEpublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Celtic fans celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Celtic are through to the Scottish League Cup final against Dundee United on 15 March. They were comfortable victors over Glasgow rivals Rangers in the semi-final at Hampden this afternoon, Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons their scorers.

  12. Postpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Aston Villa are having a shocker, aren't they? That's now six league games without scoring - a club record.

  13. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Ivanov van der poel: Going to be a long two weeks for us Villa fans. Chelsea next… something has to happen, otherwise we're doomed.

    Daniel Kelly: Aston Villa are dreadful. Maybe being relegated will be for the best, they may come back a better team... who SCORE!!

    Paul Collins: No offence to Yaya Sanogo, and I hope he proves me wrong, but Chuba Akpom looks a far better prospect.

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  14. How it standspublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Arsenal are up to fifth, putting the pressure on Southampton with another impressive performance.

    Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa
  15. Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Adam Lenton: On another day Villa would have won this. But only because Arsenal would not have been at the ground.

    Ifeanyi Okagbue: Is Francis Coquelin Arsenal's new Patrick Vieira and the defensive midfielder they have been looking for?

    Simon Jennings: The person in charge of editing Villa's DVD of the season's highlights will just have to put Carles Gil's FA Cup goal on repeat...

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  16. Postpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    The Arsenal players are all smiles as they lap up the crowd's applause. Five star stuff.

    The Aston Villa players traipse off in a very glum mood. That's extra running in training tomorrow.

  17. Postpublished at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Former Aston Villa striker Peter Withe
    BBC Radio West Midlands at Emirates Stadium

    On the fifth goal: "Arsenal just lay it off to him and Hector Bellerin provides a side-foot finish. Brad Guzan's sight must have been blocked a little bit, and the ball went through a few players' legs."

  18. FULL-TIMEpublished at 15:20 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Ashley Westwood also pulls one goal back for Villa with a thunderous rising strike but it is brilliantly saved. No consolation and the whistle sounds seconds later.

  19. GOALpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Hector BellerinImage source, Reuters

    Superb from young full-back Hector Bellerin, who sidefoots a clinical finish home from 22 yards out. Poor Brad Guzan in the Villa goal can't get anywhere near it as the ball goes in off the post.

  20. Postpublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2015

    Chuba Akpom has had a few chances since stepping from the bench and he's played in again but his tame shot is easy for Brad Guzan.